Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
otolith.gif (21298 bytes)
Analysis, Interpretation, and
Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other
Hard Parts:
The State-of-the-Art
June 1-2, 2001
SUNY ESF
Syracuse, New York
Sponsored by—
New York State Chapter of the American Fisheries Society
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry
Great Lakes Fisheries Commission
New York Sea Grant
NE Division, American Fisheries Society
Cornell Biological Field Station
Vital statistics such as age, growth rate, and many life history events are now routinely gathered with information
stored in the otoliths, scales, and bones of fishes. Although methods of age and growth determination have become a
standard part of the fisheries professional's toolbox, data analysis and validation remain problematic. Environmental
information, which can be extracted from microchemical studies of many of these structures, offers a new means of
validation and also opens up exciting avenues of inquiry. New, high-resolution techniques, in combination with
traditional methods, have revolutionized fisheries research. Elements and isotopes in otoliths can now be measured at
fine enough spatial scales on otoliths so as to correspond to the time scales of interest (daily, seasonal, and annual) that
can be determined with otoliths and other hard parts of fishes. Hypotheses about behavior, energetics, and food web
relationships can now be tested. By running a transect through an otolith and measuring isotopes or elements, we can
learn about migration (by the ratio of strontium to calcium), thermal histories (from oxygen stable isotopes), and we
can discriminate between stocks or sub-populations of fish species (via multiple elemental analysis). Dietary
information can be inferred from carbon isotopic ratios in otoliths, and other ecologically useful stable isotopes (e.g.
nitrogen), while not within the realm of analysis at the present time, are on the horizon.
This workshop is designed as a "stand-alone" training course for professionals and students. The format will consist of
two full days of lectures and demonstrations. There will also be a poster session at the end of the first day. Integrated
into the workshop on the second day will be a trip to the Cornell Biological Field Station (ca. 25 minute drive), where
there will be a tour of the facilities, more demonstrations, and dinner.
A special feature of this course will be the workshop's lecture roster, consisting of speakers who are leaders in the
field. A permanent record of the lectures will be made, either as a set of lecture notes or (potentially) a methods book. The agenda will include reviews of the literature, the current state of the art, and practical hands-on information.
Continuing Education Credit:
AFS Certified Credits: This workshop has been approved for 1.60 Continuing Education credits. The additional fee for
AFS credits is $7 for members/$10 for nonmembers.
Workshop Location: SUNY ESF, Syracuse, New York
Directions will be sent with acknowledgment of registration.
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Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
file:///Volumes/Web/WWW/ce/workshop/fish2001.htm[4/20/11 10:17:03 AM]
Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
otolith.gif (21298 bytes)
Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish
Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
Call for Posters
Poster displays of research projects are invited for a poster session to be held on Friday afternoon. Poster boards are 8
feet long by 4 feet high. You may submit an abstract electronically to Karin Limburg (klimburg@esf.edu), or include a hard copy with your
registration. file:///Volumes/Web/WWW/ce/workshop/fish2001call.htm[4/20/11 10:17:03 AM]
Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
otolith.gif (21298 bytes)
Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish
Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
Preliminary Program
Friday, June 1, 2001
7:30 am Registration and Sign-up for Demonstrations
8:40
Welcome and Introduction
Karin Limburg, SUNY-ESF
9:00
Otolith Structure, Micro to Macro
Ed Brothers, EBB Consultants, Steve Campana, Bedford Institute & John Casselman, Lake Ontario
Fisheries Station
10:00
Break
10:15
Other Useful Hard Elements in Fish
John Casselman, Lake Ontario Fisheries Station
11:00
Otolith Marking Methods
John Farrell, SUNY-ESF, & Ed Brothers, EBB Consultants
Noon
Lunch
1:00 pm Demonstrations
2:15
Otolith Weight and Shape Analyses
Mark Wuenschell, SUNY-ESF and Håkan Wickström, Institute of Freshwater Research, Drottningholm,
Sweden
3:00
Elemental Analysis of Otoliths I: Strontium
David Secor, University of Maryland
3:30
Break
3:45
Elemental Analysis of Otoliths II: Other Elements
Steve Campana, Bedford Institute
5:00
Poster Session and Social
Saturday, June 2, 2001
9:00 am Stable Isotope Analyses
William Patterson, Syracuse University
10:00
Break
10:15
Radioisotopes and Combining Otolith Analyses with Other Analyses
Steve Campana, Bedford Institute
11:15
More Demonstrations/Discussions
12:15 pm Lunch
1:15
Statistics and Modeling of Otolith Data
Cynthia Jones, Old Dominion University
2:15
Break (short)
2:25
Ecological Applications
Karin Limburg, SUNY-ESF, David Secor, University of Maryland & Don Stewart, SUNY-ESF
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Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
3:25
Future in Otolith Research and Application
Graduate Students at SUNY-ESF
Wrap-up
Party at Shackelton!!
4:00
5:30
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Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
otolith.gif (21298 bytes)
Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish
Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
Registration Information
To Register: Please preregister! Simply fill out and mail the registration form with your registration fee. You may
register by phone by calling ESF Continuing Education at (315) 470-6891; or fax to (315) 470-6890.
Early Registration Discount: Registrations and payment must be postmarked by May 22, 2001 if you wish to qualify for
the early discount. Government or corporate purchase orders received by the deadline also qualify for the early
discount.
Workshop Fees:
The workshop fee includes lunch and refreshments, and materials.
Paid by May 22 After May 22
Registration fee:
$95
$125
Student fee:
$65
$85
Student fee (without lunch): $40
$60
Continuing Education Credit:
AFS Certified Credits: This workshop
has been approved for 1.60 Continuing Education credits. The additional fee for
AFS credits is $7 for members/$10 for nonmembers.
Fees are payable to SUNY-ESF. VISA or MasterCard also accepted.
Refunds: SUNY-ESF reserves the right to cancel any program in the event of insufficient registrations. A full refund
will be given if a program is canceled. Participants who wish to withdraw must give written notice one week in
advance to receive a full refund. After that date a $25 cancellation fee will be charged. Substitutions are permissible at
any time.
Lodging:
We have reserved a block of rooms at the Hotel Syracuse for Thursday night, May 31, Friday night, June 1,
and a few rooms on Saturday night, June 2 for workshop participants. Please specify that you will be attending the
Fish Otolith Workshop to recieve the workshop rate of $70. Reservations may be made by phone at (315) 422-5121 or
1-888-813-2133 (toll-free).
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Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
otolith.gif (21298 bytes)
Analysis, Interpretation, and Applications of Fish
Otoliths and Other Hard Parts: The State-of-the-Art
Registration Form
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Name __________________________________ Phone ( _____ ) ______________________
Organization ______________________________________Fax ( ____ ) _________________
Address _____________________________________________________________________
City _________________________ State ______ Zip _______ email ____________________
Register me for the Fisheries Workshop on June 1-2, 2001
Enclosed is my workshop fee,
Registration Fee:
o If paid by May 22: $95 o After May 22:$125
Student Fee:
o If paid by May 22: $65 o After May 22: $85
Student Fee (without lunch):
o If paid by May 22: $40 o After May 22: $60
AFS Certified Continuing
Education Credits (1.60):
o Member: $7 o Nonmember: $10
Total Fees:
Credit Card Payment:
______
o VISA o Mastercard
Account Number: _______________________________ Expiration Date: _________
Signature:_______________________________
Special needs:__________________________________________________________________
Mail form to: ESF Continuing Education, SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, Syracuse, NY 13210-2784
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